If you were confused by the previous chapter, there's a good reason. Somehow a chapter from another one of my stories ended up getting posted. very strange. I fixed the error. This is the next chapter for you, dear readers. Thank you so much for your continued support. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.
/././
Steve jerks awake. Big mistake. He rubs his eyes, presses on his temples and sits up. The room lurches like a wave is about to upset his raft. Wait – where is he? Home. Danny's voice in his head. Steve smiles.
"Hey sleepyhead," the real Danny says. He watches Steve from the recliner. His feet propped up. Crazy socks. "Head bugging you?"
"Yea." That was part of it. It's tough to think. His brain isn't working.
Danny tilts his head in that most adorable way and gives him a soft smile. Steve loves these smiles. They expect nothing from him. They're just happy, content. This is the Danny who softens all of Steve's edges. That impossibly loving man who hides behind all the sarcasm and negative vibes.
"Weird to be here?" Danny asks. He raises his eyebrows ever so much. He's always been able to read Steve's mind.
Steve replies, "Yea."
He knows his use of monosyllables will irk Danny a little. Who would Steve be if he didn't yank Danny's chain just a bit?
Danny smiles. He's in on the joke. "Use your words, babe."
Steve sighs, a controlled exhale. He still cannot believe he's back in Hawaii. Danny's got the house open. He smells the ocean.
"My head isn't bad, but I'm a little dizzy. Doesn't matter. I'm so - I'm – happy to be home. Here with you," Steve answers.
"Lie back. Rest. I've got lasagna in the oven and ginger ale in the fridge."
"Ginger ale, yes, and lasagna? Sounds good." And somehow it did. Despite the dizziness, he is hungry. "Did you just make it? How long was I out?"
Steve stretches. He longs to take a swim, but knows that's not possible until he figures out what's wrong. He doesn't trust himself alone in the water.
"No, I didn't just make it," Danny says. He rolls his eyes and adds, "You know I like to keep a couple pans in the freezer for –"
"Emergencies?" Steve cuts him off. He can't let the ramble go on too long. He doesn't want Danny to actually get annoyed with him.
Danny crosses his arms over his chest and squints at Steve. Then, he moves from the recliner to the ottoman and replies, "Yes, emergencies and special occasions."
Grinning, Steve knows the answer, but he asks anyway. God, he's missed their conversations. He won't call it bickering.
"Which am I?"
"Both." Danny pretends to be serious. Then, he twitches to reveal the best smile, all sparkly and taking over his whole face.
This man – Steve shakes his head. He makes him believe in fairy tales. This is why he left. He'd feared he'd damaged Danny. Led him down a dangerous path. Steve's fucked up life had tainted this wonderful man. Or had it? Had they both found one another? Kindred spirits of a twisted sort. Now his reason for leaving made no sense.
"I love you, Danny."
"I know, babe. And I love you. What I don't love are your muddy boots on my couch."
"Your couch? Seriously? Wait, you told me to lie down," Steve laughs.
"Now that I know you're not gonna stroke out on me. Proper decorum."
"Proper decorum," Steve replies. He frowns and shakes his head before adding. "You're one of the messiest people I know."
This isn't true, but Steve has teased Danny about his housekeeping since he first stayed at his place all those years ago. Danny simply isn't military clean. He didn't have routine and discipline drilled into him.
"You rubbed off on me. And yes – my couch. Can't believe you didn't notice."
Steve examines the couch. He can't believe he didn't notice. He's so off his game. The couch is similar to his but there's something different. A big thing.
"Hey, I fit," he says and stretches out, knocks his boots together. Chunks of dirt fall on the cushion. "But it's –"
"It's the same – just longer – wider. Someone's always sacking out here, so I bought this one. JT - that's Junior and Tani – they have the old one – yours – at their place. It's still Eddie's spot."
"Eddie has good taste." Steve smiles. So much has changed. He feels like a stranger. He sits up and looks at the door.
"Nope, none of that. This is your home. It always will be. I know this is a lot. Nobody blames you for needing a break. It's okay."
"Thanks, Danny."
Steve reaches to take off his boots. Danny stops him.
"Wait, let me do it," Danny says. He nudges the coffee table out of the way and crouches in front of Steve.
Closing his eyes, Steve leans back, leaving himself open. Danny unties and loosens the laces. Then he removes each shoe. He's careful and slow. Gentle. He also takes off his socks. Steve raises an eyebrow when Danny takes one foot in his hands and squeezes.
"Want a massage?" Danny asks, "Might help your headache."
"Sure," Steve says. The idea sounds good. It's been ages since anyone's rubbed his feet. Never Danny though. He's not ready for what happens next. He moans and blushes. Danny holds on when he tries to pull away.
"I've got you. Relax," Danny urges. He flashes a smile and wrinkles his nose a little, teasing. "I'm not taking care of that."
"Oh god, Danny, I'm sorry. I –" Steve's whole face feels hot. He shifts to cover his straining pants.
"Stop it. Don't move. You're making my job harder," Danny giggles and locks eyes with him. "I get it. I'm a guy, right? This feels good. Your body reacts. It's no problem."
"It does feel good."
"Then, enjoy it. We have to talk before I –" Danny waves at Steve's crotch.
"What? Really?"
"Yes," Danny says with a shrug.
"You. Me?" Steve replies. He doesn't close his mouth, but he can't find any words to express his delight and giddiness and maybe a little fear.
"You really are Smooth Dog." Danny shakes his head and continues, "Like I said, we need to talk. And you're injured. I'm not taking advantage."
"I am not."
"You're seeing Wo Fat, babe. I don't want your head to explode."
"My head would explode?" Steve raises an eyebrow. They are in uncharted waters. Everything's a minefield.
"Yes," Danny replies. He continues to massage. He hits all the right spots. Steve can't help but moan again.
"You're really excellent at this," he says. He tries not to strain too much against Danny's efforts.
"I know. I'm excellent at a lotta things."
Steve almost cums in his pants when Danny grins at him, all cocky and sexy as hell.
/././
"Steven," Danny says. He pushes away, uses the coffee table to help him stand. He's reminded that he skipped physical therapy today. He jacked his knee taking down a suspect two weeks ago. He hopes Steve doesn't notice he's favoring it.
"Daniel."
"I meant what I said. You're injured."
"It's not a fair fight."
Danny giggles and says, "What?"
He loves when Steve tries to lay out a silly argument. Fair fight. Everything is a competition. Danny doesn't miss that. He knows it's familiar, comfortable ground for him, so he gives Steve the space.
"You massaged my feet."
"So?"
"I want to do something for you."
Steve flashes that sweet smile that makes Danny melt every time. He's not used to this feeling. It's been months. He wants to lash out because it hurts a little. Like when you warm up frozen fingers on a cold Jersey day.
"Stay," Danny answers.
"I – " Steve stumbles with his next words. Danny needs to hear him say it. "Okay, I'm staying. For good."
"I wasn't joking about sharing the bed."
"Didn't think you were."
Steve's earnestness is a playful jab to the ribs. Danny loves it.
"Let's eat dinner and talk. I'm still –" Danny sighs, "I can't believe you're really here. I've dreamed about you."
A tear slides down Danny's cheek. He doesn't bother wiping it away. Having something is different from dreaming about it. Steve is back after months away. Will he stay? How bad is his head?
Danny's mind is boiling with pessimism, love and confusion.
All these months Danny's been without Steve – and here he is. He'd learned to live without him. He's missed all the annoying things about Steve. His insistence on health food at home. Swimming and working out like he was training for battle. Three-minute showers. Making his bed. The chore wheel.
Danny has adopted many of these habits. Much to his chagrin.
He's also hardened his heart. Yet, now his heart is sitting beside him. And he's in pain – something's wrong. Danny wants to fix it. To soothe his troubled heart.
/././
"Danny, what if this is all there is?" Steve asks, "You and me. Stuck in between."
His voice cuts through the near darkness. Danny stays quiet for a few seconds. A thousand snarky retorts flash through his head. Instead, he simply says, "Yea. No."
He knows what Steve means. He once thought he was fine with their dance. Now, Steve lays it out, and Danny wants – oh he wants – more. He wants there to be a reason why they're lying in bed together. Partners in work and play. First, he needs to get Steve through whatever's going on with him. Get him to the doctor and go from there.
The ocean is restless, the water rough. Wind rustles the trees. Time between the rain showers grows less and less, like contractions. Something is about to happen.
"You got back just in time," Danny says. He's half propped up with pillows to support his aching shoulder. Damp weather is not his friend. He turns so he can watch Steve and focus on something great.
"I did?" Steve answers.
He rolls onto his side, facing Danny. His eyes catching the little bit of light in the room.
"The storm. Irina, I think," Danny babbles, "Almost a hurricane."
"Huh, I didn't even check."
"Hmmm…" Danny puts his hand on Steve's forehead. "You feeling alright? Normally you're all anal about the weather. You still have that storm prep kit under the stairs. I just restocked it."
"You restocked my kit? Wow. Well, I knew I had to get back. To you. That's all I could think about," Steve says. He's anxious, unsure of himself. Danny hates to see him like this. Steve grabs Danny's hand.
"Hey, hey, you're here. We're gonna figure this out. The storm will pass. They always do."
"Okay."
Danny marvels at the trust. The ease with which Steve gives in.
Time slows. Danny's vision blurs. They're an inch apart. Steve's thigh is touching his.
"Can I?" Steve asks. His breath is warm on Danny's cheek.
Danny answers by making the first move. He tilts his head and brushes his lips against Steve's. Danny opens his mouth and lets Steve back into his heart. Steve accepts, and his shyness makes Danny giddy. There's no time to think about expectations. The kiss lasts a few seconds, tasting, testing. Steve wraps himself around Danny, running his hands through his hair and then – Danny sucks in a startled breath – Steve slides his hand down the length of his body, giving his ass a squeeze. It's too much, yet not enough. He freezes, and Steve stops.
"You okay?" Steve asks. He's a bit out of breath.
"Better than okay, babe."
Danny closes his eyes and sighs. He thrusts against Steve. Things are moving faster than he wanted or even imagined. His mind and dick are locked in a heated argument. He's not sure which head will win. Making out with Steve seems to be a gateway drug. Who knew?
Then, the jingle of dog tags and click of claws alerts Danny to an impending ambush. Eddie jumps on the bed, and Steve and Danny laugh. Together.
"Doggus interruptus," Danny says.
Steve bites his lip and then replies, "It's like having a kid."
"Don't mention my kids."
"Shut up, Daniel."
"Make me, Steven."
